A Weekend at the Cabin

Most of the time my writing falls into one of two camps.  Either I write about something right away because I’m still riding a high and can’t wait to get the words out or it takes me a few days to write anything at all because I feel changed by the experience and I need to let it sink in before I can find the words.  The latter is how I feel about our trip to the cabin this past weekend.

There was a clock in the kitchen that was out of batteries and just stood at 5:35 and I felt like it was such a perfect metaphor for the weekend.  It really did feel like time was standing still.  And I mean that in the best way possible.  I know spending two and half days in a quaint cabin in the mountains might not sound that life-changing, but for me, it really is.  The peace, relaxed vibe and views are unparalleled.  It’s a total body and mind reset and I savor every second.

I know this trip will forever stick out in our memory — not just because the weather was perfect, or because Joey got redemption for the Uno slaughtering from last year, or because I allowed myself to get totally sucked into “A Moveable Feast” or because we ate ice cream in a rain storm and leisurely sipped coffee in the sun on the porch — but because we wrote our wedding vows to each other.  It was an amazing experience that does and will mean so much to me for the rest of forever.  For the record, after we wrote them, Joey tried to read them over to me — he got as far as “Lauren…” when I started crying so yeah, I’m going to be a huge mess come September 6th.

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Can you spot the baby bunny?

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Joey ate the above pictured PB&H sandwich, followed by a dessert of chili cheese fries and a 3-scoop ice cream cone.  Where is he putting it, people?!

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Yes, these are truly the kinds of outfits I wear when I have no one to impress.

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Unpictured: the bajillion handfuls of trail mix I ate, all the hummingbirds that zoom around up there, a lovely Saturday afternoon nap and my inability to readjust to real life now that we’re home and back at work.

3 Modern Bride Decisions I’m Making

I’m sorry for the lack of posts lately.  Actually, I kind of meant that apology to be to myself.  Sorry, Self, for not writing very much lately.  You deserve a creative outlet, but I’ve kind of had a one track mind lately and as exciting as it probably is for my handful of readers to hear wedding talk in every post, I kind of don’t want to be that person.

Aaaand that opening was kind of a waste of time because this post is all wedding talk.  Ha!  Specifically, three decisions I’ve decided to make that I feel put me in the minority but that I feel kind of strongly about.  Ready?

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#1 I’m not buying a wedding band

You guys, I LOVE my engagement ring.  It is the most precious, beautiful and meaningful thing I’ve ever owned.  Every time I look at it, I imagine Joey picking it out, going against my wish for a halo ring because he thought this one was much more me (and being totally right) and then I melt into a giant puddle of emotion.  It is so perfect.  And I kind of love the look of it on its own — plus it has some side detailing that makes it kind of difficult to match with a wedding band — so I’m leaving it on its own.  Maybe one day, I’ll have a wedding band designed to go with, but for now I’m more than happy to have this ring be the one “I thee wed” with.

#2 I’m not changing my last name

It’s 2014 and the independent woman is alive and well, but I still feel hesitant and guilty when I tell people this.  The decision has NOTHING to do with my commitment to Joey.  It has more to do with the fact that I’ve had this last name for 25 years and I like it and it’s who I’ve been my whole life and I don’t want to part with it.  Also, Joey truly doesn’t care if I take his last name or not.  If he did feel strongly about it, I wouldn’t even hesitate to change it, but since he doesn’t and since I’ve heard the whole changing last names process is a huge ordeal, I think I’ll pass.

#3 I’m not addressing anyone as Mrs. Husband’s Name

Now that our invitations are out, can I just say how confusing that addressing is!  If you Google it, and I did, there’s just so many different opinions and conflicting “rules” about how to address your guests.  I liked coming across just single person addresses because those were pretty straight forward but all the others were a bit more complicated.  In the end, my inner modern day feminist said “forget what Emily Post says, I’m not addressing anyone by their husband’s name!”  It felt good.

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What important decisions have you made lately?

We’re off to meet with our photographer about the day of schedule and what kinds of group shots we want to get, which must mean this thing is happening soon!  Have a good weekend 🙂